Rome shopping + restaurants

Just make sure you stop by Il Forno in Campo di Fiori or San Crispino near the Trevi.

They are all over the place. You might try Davide Cenci, near Giolitti/the Pantheon.
I also remember a custom maker named Dani or something like that, which seemed inexpensive, and was on Via Francisco Crispi, somewhere between V. Ludovisi and V. Sistina.

Battistoni is probably the most famous shirtmaker in the region. They have a custom program in the back. Jaja also makes custom shirts, and they're somewhat near Battistoni, but I don't know how well they fit. It's bespoke, for what that's worth.

Neither are "reasonably priced". Battistoni is beautiful and everything I have from there (not much) is fantastic. I think it is under-appreciated. I am sure their women's clothing is under-appreciated as it is beautiful and I have never seen it mentioned.

Fair enough. I missed that part in the OP's post.

I was surprised at the Davide Cenci store. While expecting it to be larger than the New York, it was surprsingly departmentstore-like, with large displays of Brooksbrothers offerings() and Polo by Ralph Lauren...

It is definitely anglophile in style (the American branch) and given to international labels, but there is a lot of Italian made clothing as well. Department-store like is a good description.

It's funny how many stores in Italy are like this. Next to Cucinelli and Fay will be large displays for Brooks Brothers. Everyone has their own foreign fetishes, I suppose.
Edited by dieworkwear - 4/11/12 at 4:09pm

BB and RL are HUGE in Milan.

And Wrangler jeans were all the rage for a while.

And my favorite place for a local bite in Rome:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187791-d1898624-Reviews-Ristorante_l_Archetto_II-Rome_Lazio.html

A bit off the beaten path in Trestavere. But it's mostly locals and the food is perfect, authentic, Roman everyday food. And Trestavere has become a very 'happening' district these days. After dinner walk up to the top of the hill (You'll know what hill I mean.) From there you have some magnificent night time views of Rome across the Tiber.

You didn't ask about museums but I'll offer up one in addition to the Borghese anyway:

http://www.doriapamphilj.it/ukhome.asp

No trip to Rome is complete without a visit to the Capuchin monks.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capuchin_Crypt
Edited by Gdot - 4/11/12 at 4:31pm

Restaurant: La Pergola. I was there last year and it was one of the most outstanding meals I've ever enjoyed.

If you like modern architecture ... even given the less than aesthetic neighborhood ... the Richard Meier church pictured below is worth a visit.

I had a nice meal at Glass Hostaria (modern) recently

The Borrelli outlet store (near the Vatican) in Rome unfortunately is no more. They attracted the wrong crowd I was told, whatever that may mean. The Borrelli store itself however is and prices are lower than in the US or elsewhere in Europe (especially if you are able to reclaim the Italian VAT). Borrelli store is very small and in a small side street of the Via Condoti and a 2 minute walk from the Spanish steps. Right around the corner (and on the same square as Spanish steps) is the Kiton shop. Never has sale and prices are always giving me the hickups. Boggi is in the same street (5 minute walk from Spanish steps) in the direction of the Obelisk (I forgot the corect name of the Piaza).

Borrelli is also sold in a store called Cosimo Colonne (right around the corner of Davide Cenci referred to a few posts above). They used to have Attolini and a very nice qualifty house brand too.

If you really want to visit sartorial paradise go to The White Gallery (its about a 35 minutes busride from Termine Station but you will be flabergasted). Kiton, Attolini, Sartoria Partenopea, Cucinelli, Santoni, Lobb. Bring you lady and she will likely spend hours on the first floor. Address:

http://www.whitegallery.it/

Cheers